Outgoing Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has been pipped to the Saudi Pro League's Player of the Season award by Al-Ittihad's Karim Benzema.
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Ronaldo set to leave Al-NassrVeteran still has stellar seasonBenzema beats him to awardFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Despite Ronaldo scoring 25 Saudi Pro League goals this season, compared to old Real Madrid team-mate Benzema's 21, the Frenchman has picked up this honour after playing a key role in their title triumph. His 30-goal contributions, to Ronaldo's 28, appear to have given the 37-year-old the edge.
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Ronaldo, who effectively confirmed he will leave Al-Nassr this summer when his contract expires, earned a second-straight Golden Boot but his team finished third – 13 points behind league champions Al-Ittihad. The 40-year-old still has an eye for goal but Benzema's all-round game may have tipped the balance in his favour.
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Former France international Benzema scored 23 goals and bagged nine assists for Al-Ittihad in 32 games in all competitions this season, whereas Ronaldo scored 35 goals and turned provider on four occasions in 41 outings.
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Benzema, whose contract at the Saudi outfit expires in 2026, could finish the season with more silverware if his Al-Ittihad side can see off Al-Qadsiah in the King Cup of Champions final on Friday night.